Ms. Tsongas
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and the
Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on
Ways and Means, for a
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Labor to award grants for
the employment of individuals in targeted communities to perform work for the
benefit of such communities.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the
Helping Individuals Return to
Employment Act or the HIRE
Act.

2.

Community
employment grants

(a)

Grants
authorized

The Secretary of
Labor is authorized to award competitive grants for the hiring of unemployed
individuals to perform work to benefit communities, under terms and conditions
set forth in this section.

(b)

Eligible
entities

Grants under this section may be awarded to any of the
following entities in the areas described in subsection (c):

Non-profit
organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)).

(c)

Targeted
communities

Grants under this
section may be awarded to eligible entities located in or primarily serving in
one of the following areas, if the unemployment rate in such area is higher
than 7 percent during the 3-month period preceding the award of the
grant:

(1)

A renewal community with respect to which a
designation was in effect under section 1400E(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1400E(a)) on December 31, 2009.

(2)

An empowerment
zone designated under section 1391 of such Code.

(3)

A historically underutilized business zone
designated under section 3(p)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
632(p)(1)).

(d)

Individuals
eligible for employment

Grants awarded under this section shall be
used to hire unemployed individuals residing in the areas described in
subsection (c), including individuals age 16 and older, with priority going to
individuals who have been unemployed for more than a year.

(e)

Limitations

(1)

Union
consultation

No individual whose employment is funded under a
grant authorized under this Act may work for an employer at which a collective
bargaining agreement is in effect covering the same or similar work,
unless—

(A)

the consent of the
labor organization at such employer is obtained; and

(B)

negotiations have
taken place between such labor organization and the employer as to the terms
and conditions of such employment.

(2)

Nondisplacement

An individual whose employment is funded
under this Act may not displace other employees whose employment is not funded
under this Act. A grant recipient under this Act may not hire an employee or
employees with funds under this Act for any employment which the grant
recipient would otherwise hire an employee who has been furloughed.

(f)

Effect on
unemployment compensation

The
amount of any unemployment compensation payable to an individual employed under
a grant established by this Act is a pro rata portion of the unemployment
compensation which would otherwise be payable to the employee if such employee
were totally unemployed.

(g)

Consultation
requirement

An eligible
entity that receives a grant under this Act shall consult with community
leaders, including small business owners, labor organizations, and local
residents to assess the needs of the community to determine the qualifying
activities for which individuals will be hired.

(h)

Qualifying
activities

Individuals hired using grant funds awarded under this
section shall be employed for a minimum of 20 hours per week only in activities
that benefit the community in the areas described in subsection (c), including
activities such as public works, beautification, historic restoration,
tutoring, and adult education. In addition, where an eligible entity determines
appropriate, a portion of the grant funds may be used to ensure the safety of
employees hired under the grant and provide necessary job training.

(i)

Federal
share

Funds awarded under this section shall supplement, not
supplant, funds of the eligible entity that are used for such purposes.

(j)

Application

Eligible
entities seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such information and
assurances as the Secretary may require.

(k)

Required
deadline for hiring

An eligible entity receiving a grant under
this section shall—

(1)

determine the
number of individuals that may be hired for a 3-year period using both grant
funds and local funds available for such purpose; and

(2)

hire such
individuals within 60 days after receiving a grant.

(l)

Regulations

The
Secretary of Labor may promulgate regulations necessary to implement the grant
program authorized by this Act, including any necessary regulations necessary
to apply wage and labor protections to individuals employed under a
grant.

(m)

Authorization of
Appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Labor such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
section.

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